1959 Mouton Rothschild
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Tasting notes
Reminding me of the 1986, the 1959 Château Mouton Rothschild is deep plum-hued and reveals a masculine, deep, powerful bouquet of mature black fruits, graphite, woodsmoke, espresso roast, and lead pencil that opens up nicely with time in the glass. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, dense Pauillac with plenty of mid-palate heft, resolved tannins, and outstanding length. Although this bottle was showing a touch of fatigue, it still had remarkable depth and terrific balance, offering a singular drinking experience.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1959 Mouton-Rothschild is one of the great vintages of the era, this bottle flirting with perfection. It has an outstandingly pure, mineral-driven bouquet with stunning delineation and touches of candied red fruit, violet and wild mint. It's just faultless. The palate is a little more plush than the previous bottle, framed by lithe tannins, perfectly judged acidity and a dab of menthol toward the finish as it gains more and more depth with each swirl of the glass. The 1959 is a brilliant Mouton-Rothschild overseen by Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Perhaps it has the edge over the marvelous 1961 these days. Tasted at the 1940s/1950s dinner at Epure in Hong Kong.
The 1959 Mouton-Rothschild is a vintage that I have only encountered once, exactly ten years ago. What a thrilling Pauillac this is. It has an incredible bouquet with brilliant delineation: intense red and blueberry fruit, some of the mint just like the 1982, opulent and sophisticated. The palate is supremely well balanced with supple tannins; it is almost overwhelming intensity as layers of pure black fruit lacquer the inside of the mouth. Extravagant and luscious, this is actually one of the finest First Growths. Just to sit back and enjoy in all its decadent glory. (NM)
About the producer
Pauillac-based Ch. Mouton Rothschild is one of the five First Growths, producing some of the finest wine in Bordeaux and the world. Known for its flamboyant style, the label for the Grand Vin is designed by a different artist each year.